4. Restaurants

Proof

1301 Locust St,Ste C, Des Moines, IA, 50309
  • (515) 244-0655
  • Store is closed

Proof Menu

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  • N K.

    My wife and I stopped in last night for a quick dinner and a couple of cocktails. To our surprise it was the 2nd Saturday of the month which means the regular menu is put away for the night and you're ordering a 10-course meal of the Chef's choice. Place was packed, no reservation, no problem - we were seated at the Chef's table! Im not going to give an in-depth review of the food (everything was amazing except for the beets which is the one and only childhood phobia I have left). There were 10 wonderful courses and my two favorites were #4 and #7. #4 was savory French toast with duck khlea, chicken of the woods, kale, marinated shallots, a poached egg and sherry glaze. #7 was duck confit, pickled onions, pickled mustard seeds, duck fat potatoes, spinach and pomegranate molasses. These two courses defined our food experience for the night. In addition to the food, the customer service experience was excellent. It amazed me that everybody that we spoke with that night was knowledgeable about everything we were eating and drinking. The Chef (Sean) came out to say hello, a cook named Nicole came out to talk to our table (she handled the first 3 courses), the bartender Nick remembered us from 2 years ago. We were blown away by the service. Our quick dinner and cocktails turned into a 3-hour gastronomic experience that we won't forget. My only constructive criticism for the night is that it was ALOT of food. 8 courses portioned out the way you did last night would have been plenty. Nice work Proof!

    (5)

  • Kira G.

    Service sucked. Food was pretty good. Start off, I live outide of NYC and am a foodie. From Houston, a great, expensive resuarant city.Travel alot. Pay a lot for great food, but it's also about the experience. This was abismal! The server, I think, was trying to be rude and barely said a word. Asked for drink recommendations, "everything's good." What about the watermelon crudo? "Why ask, everything is good." Etc. Who was this guy (don't know, he didn't introduce himself). Food was good, although the pork was a bit tough. Sides, cheese, meats, scallops, all great. But, who can enjoy with such awful, rude attitude? I ask you, what does this restaurant think it is trying to accomplish? NYC? Never experienced anything like this, even at the snobbiest resto (and we've been to them, all of them). Smiling and joking didn't change his attitude, he either is a total ass or he was trained to be that way. Noticed the other waitress on the table close to us seemed the same way. Pissed to pay so much for a bad experience. Comes down to...A Des Moines resto is trying to be big time (and there are many excellent DM restos, believe me) but that is not the way. Any resto in NYC/Houston/Chicago/LA/etc would not survive with this service. Well, maybe the Seinfeld soup nazi....Food and drink were good, though, nice atmostphere,

    (2)

  • West S.

    I usually like to shame restaurants this bad in a humorous fashion to maintain the illusion of my humanity, but I'm willing to eschew this convention for the sake of complete and unmistakable accuracy. My dinner at proof was a parade of horrors, I spent over 100 dollars for two people to have an experience for which the night manager at a Denny's would have to fire someone, and the other couple at my table fared little better. Proof can't even keep bread in their restaurant until 8 pm on a Friday, they can't even maintain a reliable supply chain on cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon. Proof lies on their menu and serves meals made from inferior ingredients at some of the highest prices in the city, and the waitstaff is aloof and bordering on disdainful. I can think of no reason why they have managed to stay open. I really mean it. I came to Proof at 7:30 on a Friday night with reservations for a party of 4. The dinner rush had apparently ended by this time, but we waited for about 8 minutes after being seated for the waiter to arrive with menus, another 10 minutes to receive water and another 5 minutes to be informed that they were out of 8 of the 12 beers on their menu, one of which was a PBR tallboy. This time would not have been a waste had we had the luxury of conversation, but projecting your voice across a table in this two story tall room is a monumental task given the simultaneous disappearance of any sound from one's mouth to the expanse of the vaulted ceilings above and the constant barrage of all of the sounds from everyone else's mouths returning from that space like poorly aimed mortar fire. At this point, we attempted to order an appetizer of crostini with white bean spread that we had just seen delivered to another table and were informed that the restaurant was out of bread, rendering all but one of the other appetizers moot. Based on the sheer impossibility of the first half of the menu and the amount of time it took to be denied anything on it, we decided just to order entrees. Two of my party ordered the cavatelli, which appeared to be vegetarian from the lack of any meat product in the description. These came out missing half of the vegetables promised by the menu, but with the unbilled addition of sausage and a runny egg yolk. I ordered the steak entree for 37 dollars because it sounded really good in the menu. It arrived with every ingredient described in the literature, but the steak had been cut in about 13 pieces of disparate shapes and sizes in an attempt to remove the connective tissue and silver skin from the inferior cut of meat they used. There were probably 10 of the 14 ounces of my ribeye remaining, and no, they did not get all of the connective tissue and silver skin out of it. I found this especially appalling given the price tag and the restaurant's reputation. They only got two stars on this review because I really liked the potatoes with hirassa mayo that came on the side. It should go without saying that they were out of half of the desserts. In conclusion, Proof offers a rotating menu of creative dishes featuring ingredients both local and exotic, and some of the worst service, execution and ambience available to the Des Moines market in the 50 to 100 dollar price range.

    (2)

  • Marvic R.

    Here's our 10-course meal. Oh boy! How do 1 even start. How about before coming here. Husband and I are always out to find something new, weird and crazy awesome food! It's supposed to be a birthday gift to my husband but I was not able to get a reservation in time. When we came, the place is ok, I guess they nailed the minimal look. Then our host Jeremiah came over to tell us what we should expect for the night. We're going to have a Southern-inspired cuisine. He offered a wine pairing and since I was feeling all fancy, I did it. We got our water and got ready to whatever they put on our table. Just a tip as well, the course was charged $60 per head and you will be sharing the plate with medium proportions. You will be paying for the authenticity and creativity of the meal and doing the 2nd Saturday meal are for those who are a little adventurous when it comes to food. Music didn't set the mood. A simple jazz and blues would really scream south. This is very important too since they will be explaining the food to you. With the music, if you are familiar with the cuisine, without listening you would know what it is but you have to just smile and pretend you actually heard them the entire time. I can see that they were having a difficulty explaining the food to us and they have to talk a little louder. I really have a thing about the noise level especially when food is involved. They also offered me a wine pairing so that's $50 for 9 wine that goes with every meal. Our host also told us about the wine where do they came from and the name. I had 4 whites and 4 red, a vodka mixed with the food and very nutty whiskey (I think and it smells good too that reminds me of Frangelico)ANYWAY... here's the list of food we had as what I can remember or what I think I heard (I will be posting pics later). 1st. Horseradish ice cream and watermelon. Yes, I was happy we had this. It only works then you everything all at the same time, not that the sound of horseradish ice cream was bad but eating them all together was amazing. I was not able to get a photo of this for a reason that it so excited to eat it. 2nd. Buttermilk biscuit with greens and poached eggs. Oh boy! Best biscuit, EVER! The 3rd. Fried Green tomatoes with bacon and apricot. I love the fried green tomatoes by itself and putting bacon makes it better. The apricot made it unique, it seems like it was cooked and caramelized. This is one of the dishes that I was not able to take a photo of for the same reason I had the 1st meal. 4th. Sea bass with tomato succotash, sweet corn pureed. It was perfect. It was golden brown on the outside and juicy on the inside. 5th. Tomato sorbet floating in vodka topped with cinnamon and celery leaf. This is something my husband actually enjoyed. Me, thought it was ok and the tomato sorbet was really good. I'm just not a fan of vodka or anything that involved alcohol in the food processing. Lol! 6th. Chicken breast with peanut, kidney and garbanzos beans atop with beans. I'm not the one to like a chicken breast but when cooked right with skin on, we can talk. It was juicy light flavored and the addition of beans put the dishes altogether. 7th. Candied pork belly with baked grits in mushroom sauce and pickled grapes with kale and collard green. Now, my husband ate the grapes and kale for me since I don't like those either. He liked it, it has the right amount of acidity to it. The grits were delicious, I didn't even know it was grits. I've had it before in Crackle Barrel they had it like a paste texture. I didn't know at first until my husband told me. NOW THE PORK BELLY, it was amazing!! It was soft and juicy. It reminds me of a delicacy we have back in the Philippines called Bagnet. It was probably one of my favorite and also the meal that I know I was full. 8th. Braised beef shoulder on top of crackling cornbread (pig fat was used instead of butter, nice....) topped with watermelon, tomato, and a side pickled watermelon rind salad. All those stuff that I just said was as good as it sound. The salad made the dinner a little lighter and balance everything else on the plate in a very surprising way. 9th. Ha! Yes, I'll make it through this review!!!! Cheese with preserve tomato base. I am not the one to know to all the relatives of cheese and their close cousin, but my husband can tell it was aged-cheese. It was light and really works with the sweetness of the tomato. 10th. Banana pudding and a julep mint ice cream. Loved it! The banana was light, unlike how other used to make around here which will really put you to a diabetic coma. This was really special since it taste like what my mom use to make. I will definitely come back to this place and probably try the regular menu that they serve. Like I said, if anyone would do the 2nd Saturday meal, be prepared to me amaze and informed. The noise was the only reason why I can only give a solid 4 star. I'm glad that we have this kind of places in Des Moines.

    (5)

  • Courtney C.

    By far, the best meal I've had in my life. If I've ever written that in a previous review, please disregard because this is where it's at. Proof was the best part of my road trip to Des Moines. In doing research of the area, I found a lot of people said you couldn't miss Proof so I emailed for reservations from their website. They note on their website that if you don't get an email confirmation within a few days to call in. I totally forgot to call and called in about a week prior. The gentleman that greeted me was extremely apologetic about missing my reservation and made sure that my name was on the list for the Saturday 5 PM slot. We could have got away without reservations as there were only a few people here at that time, but I've read it gets busier later so reservations should be made. When we arrived, we were very impressed with how clean and modern it looks inside. It's one of those places that you can tell is fancy and that you're going to enjoy, but isn't snooty. (See also: you can feel comfortable coming dressed casually but still feel like you're having a nice dinner out.) My favorite part was the re-purposed doors hanging from the ceiling. Make sure to look up! There's no set menu online as it does change frequently, so we weren't quite sure of what to order when we arrived and went in blind. To start the meal, we were given an amuse bouche. I don't know how to describe it other than fancy egg salad. It was so wonderful and perfectly balanced. Then we kicked things off with homemade foccacia and house marinated olives. Both were fabulous. My husband kept saying "this isn't the foccacia that i'm used to" but we still really loved it. I'm a sucker for olives, so I could have eaten all of them by myself, but there was a good amount to share. We also did an appetizer based on our server's suggestion. I can't remember exactly what it was called but it had chorizo and potatoes. It reminded me of breakfast due to the ingredients, but it was a good start to the meal and tided us over until our entrees arrived. In ordering our main meals, I went with the grilled ribeye and my husband went with the pork. I'm not usually someone that enjoys rare meat but I loved my meal so much. I also got to eat part of the pork. I was impressed with how many ingredients there were but how they all went together so perfectly. If you get a chance to dine at Proof, I highly recommend you do so. We really loved everything we tried and would be so happy for a chance to come back here in the future.

    (5)

  • Lisa S.

    We shared the cheese plate and charcuterie plate. Both were delicious! I really liked this contemporary upscale little place. They served a nice little goat cheese and cherry amuse-bouche and the service was helpful, but somewhat stuffy and our server did not seem to get our sense of humor. The menu was extremely limited however I would still recommend this place for an upscale , although somewhat stuffy dining experience.

    (4)

  • Abhishek M.

    Great food, good cocktails but pricy for Des Moines, IA! The Aviator was an awesome drink but it set me back $17! The Brussels sprouts, the beetroot salad and the crostini were all great dishes, with a good amount of thought and creativity going into each dish. Definitely a must try!

    (4)

  • Patrick T.

    I dig a slow elegant dining experience. I don't like to be rushed! This place fits my needs! Great food, good bar, cool open setting, nice art on the walls, great location! What more can you ask for! The menu changes quite a bit so it's hard to nail down one thing that makes me go crazy about the food, but the chef will always make you something Vegan if that's what you desire! The hours have changed from the past, and it's sometimes hard to get a table on a special night but hey, that's what happens in a smaller intimate place with great food, and that's the kind of place I dig! They are not pushing anyone out! They have a great happy hour, and it's nice to be able to hop in during a festival like the Art Fest or 80/35 and grab a brew and cool down from the summer sun!

    (5)

  • Tony G.

    The BEST Dining Experience in Des Moines! If you are looking for a night out to enjoy the one(s) your with and experience some AMAZING culinary delights, this is the place! My wife and I agreed, the best meal and dinning experience we've shared! My wife and I arrived 30 minutes early for our dinner reservation last night (2/20/15) and were promptly greeted by Laura, our tour guide on the nights culinary journey. We opted to enjoy a drink in the bar that overlooks the U of I School of Business and the Library. Myra got the night going with several amazing cocktails. I opted for the Kentucky Thoroughbred, a sophisticated Rye version of a Moscow Mule (sans copper mug). My wife delighted in the Lavender Martini. They have a great happy hour, from 4-7 that we caught the end of prior to our dinner. Myra took the care to craft each cocktail in front of us with an illustrative tail for each that got our pallets excited to enjoy! As for dinner, this is a food lover's paradise. Fresh inspired ingredients and unique on-point parings are all over this menu. We couldn't decide on starters so we had fixed olives, a cheese flight, "crostini of the moment," and table bread with oil/vinegar dipping sauce. Our taste buds were dancing to the balance of flavors and textures. My favorite was the crostini, which to my delight was a pesto and prosciutto with shaved parmesan. My wife, who is obsessed with olives, favored that fare. For Entres I had the Pork Ragu with Gnocchi and my wife enjoyed the Scallops which came with a brown butter sauce and curry sauce and almonds. Both were out of this world good. I loved that their menu gave my wife who is a picky eater enough comfort to branch out and try new things, all of which were enjoyed. Each item was exquisitely prepared, presented and described by Laura in a way that heightened our anticipation. Recalling her presentation as I write this is making my mouth water! Desert was sublime! I'm not a chocolate person, so I went with the Moscato Pears over ricotta cake. It rocked! My wife had the chocolate mousse, a must for any chocolate lover! Our night ended with a great conversation with Will. It was clear throughout the evening that everyone at Proof has a tremendous passion for food and what they do! Take time soon to enjoy their no rush, full flavor fare! Thanks Laura, Myra and Will and team! You are Proof that Des Moines can have a New York or Chicago quality dining experience! Sean, good luck with the James Beard Award, you deserve it!

    (5)

  • Edward F.

    I travel to DesMoines on a regular basis for work and almost every trip I make it a point to come to proof at least once during my visit. The food here is what I would call unique and adventurous. You are not going to find the standard boring staples of meatlof, mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese. The meals here are for those that venture on the wild side a little and like to try new and interesting things. I usually sit at the bar and have been treated with great customer service! Not only are the bartenders great at what they do from a mixology perspective but they know the menu just as well as any of the wait staff! Last night I had the two way chicken and flat out it was GREAT!!! The chicken was moist and flavorful, the rice and vegetable (can't remember what it was) were also excellent and offered a wide range of flavor experiences that I can still savor.yum! For desert I had the oatmeal bar with sorbet and beets! Yep that's right I said beets. It was also an amazing experience of flavor and texture all rolled into one. The menu is small in nature but offers a variety of options you can share and mix and match. An excellent place to share plates and try new food/drinks! From what I can tell this is a GREAT place to bring a date!!! The atmosphere is clean and contemporary. Not too much noise and NO TVs!!!! I usu sally come during the week so it isn't too busy but I would imagine that this place is packed on the weekends so be prepared!

    (4)

  • Karla W.

    If I could give 6 stars to Proof, I surely would. This is my all-time favorite restaurant in Des Moines, and I'm on a personal quest to try them all. Beyond the food and drink, which is out-of-this-world good (see: Any Second Saturday, which they can accommodate to vegetarians, gluten-free-ers, etc.; every cocktail Myra and Josh dream up; the Humboldt Fog cheese; everything on Holly's ridiculous dessert menu; and the Sumac Pork), the service can't be matched. As cheesy as it might sound, each diner feels like a family member at Proof. You'll want to come back again and again to try new things on the menu and forge greater friendships with the staff. A few more personal favorites from several trips: The Kozlovic Teran wine, the homemade focaccia sprinkled with plenty salt (OMG), the cocktail of the week series in 2015 and the grilled chicken flatbread. Who's ready to join me?

    (5)

  • Trina N.

    Very modern and inventive menu. We had the watermelon ceviche with horseradish ice cream as an appetizer. It was clean, fresh, and light. I loved it. Also had the ribeye. It was beautifully presented and cooked perfectly. I will be back and highly recommend it.

    (5)

  • Shelana L.

    Was there for a VIP event and food was prepared for samples. AMAZING! Pita Chips where dark in color as if they might be hard, I was wrong. Good texture, fantastic flavor and complimented fresh made humus. Bar staff was knowledgeable of wines and good service. Looking forward to going back for dinner.

    (5)

  • Brittany S.

    We visited Proof for the drinks (Happy Hour until 7 on weekdays - $5 select cocktails) and I left raving about the fig compote jello cube that accompanied our cheese and bread selection. It was so innovative and flavor-packed that I couldn't help but let it steal the spotlight from the craft cocktails. I would totally buy these cubes to add to my cheese plates for upcoming dinner parties - they were impressive in both taste and appearance. Proof has caught my eye during my last few visits to Des Moines, so I was especially excited to give it a whirl during my recent visit. Located downtown, this sleek bar boasts a James Beard nominated chef, creative cocktails like the Hocus Pocus (cocoa, anise, tequila and cayenne), and prix fixe menus that allow diners to share. If you find yourself visiting just for happy hour, do yourself a favor and add the dessert menu to your itinerary - it is extremely innovative and pairs beautifully with the cocktails (4 to 5 options were available during our visit - around $8 each). A few final notes: -great date location -reservations accepted -beautiful city skyline backdrop with floor to ceiling windows -fresh flowers on each table The only reason I am holding the 5th star is that we had to wait forever and a half for our bartender to take our check, orders, etc. She was quite friendly but a little on the flighty side.

    (4)

  • Sonya Y.

    The food here is absolutely amazing! I highly recommend the baked tetilla. It has a fantastic mix of texture and flavors. The cheese is mild but pairs well with the sweetness of the jam and the spice of the pepper flakes!

    (5)

  • Kyle R.

    I suspect a reservation would be advisable but I visited solo midweek early in the evening, so I had no trouble grabbing a seat at the bar. The bartender was very friendly and offered plenty of good suggestions (I asked for his opinion). I had the house salad (tasty, with the funky marshmallows other reviews mention), charcuterie board (delicious and filling, but I can't remember the meats! There was a beef aged in wine which I'd love to find again) and cheese, then lemon tart for dessert (the tart was OK, but the poppy seed iced cream which came with it was delicious). The mescal cocktail and glass of red were perfect accompaniments to the food. I certainly recommend.

    (5)

  • Jessica B.

    Walked in on a Tuesday night and the place was empty. Read the menu, told the waiter we were ready to order food & got a condescending scolding! He told us we ought to order drinks first, that "this isn't the kind of place you rush in and out of." Then he walked away without asking if he could even take our drink order. Annnd...we left. Too pretentious.

    (1)

  • David M.

    Delicate plates of food make for a slower-paced fine dining experience. I've gone multiple times for happy hour - half priced drinks and discounted appetizers. Everything is novel and executed well. The baristas do a great job of explaining the drinks and food, and even get excited about it. Makes the experience that much better.

    (5)

  • Davis J.

    3.5 rounds up to 4. For Des Moines, this place aint too shabby. I can see what they are trying to do here and I commend them for it. Their only fault is that they are in Des Moines. Whats in Des Moines? Nothing. The small plates we shared were perfectly portioned. The flavors and textures were well executed. The cocktails were strong BUT not well crafted. The staff was super enthusiastic. I really appreciated the fact that I was able to sit down and get a meal of this caliber while traveling for work...so far away from a metropolis. Not sure why but the demographic (from what I could see) was much much older and the people that ate there treated it as a semi-formal occasion. Again, not sure why but I usually don't enjoy environments like that. Takes the hipness out of the conversation.

    (4)

  • Snookie T.

    This place is a gem. Cool atmosphere, great service and the food and drinks were incredible! Katie was our main server and she was great, I loved all her suggestions! All of the ingredients were top notch. I am definitely coming back. For 3 drinks, 2 small plates, one large plate and dessert it came to about $80 before tip. It was plenty of food for two people and totally worth it! The gnocchi is a must! Thanks for a new staple!

    (5)

  • Jeff P.

    Submit submit submit! Over a 35 year period of dining out I don't think I've EVER had a dining experience like the one at Proof in Des Moines, Iowa of all places. Here we go... Taking clients out is always a pleasure and this time my clients who are locals to Des Moines are hip young professionals in the know and suggested Proof. An intimate but minimalist hot spot in the thriving Locust Street eatery hub of downtown. For me, it was a juxtaposition of brilliantly executed cuisine set against totally unexpected settings and environment. I mean, come on...one of the finest dining experiences EVER in Des Moines? Yelp. Indeed. We three decided to "submit" to the chef's tasting menu - a dining experience aptly called, "submit". The concept was not a new one but simple...we will keep brining you one amazing tasting after another until you can go at it no more... Fours hours, three bottles of wine and 15 courses later, we could not believe the level of sophistication, execution and passion that went into preparing the feast that we would consume, and in the process, close down the place and end with the chefs at the table! When I say every aspect of this experience was impeccable, I'm not kidding. The wait staff would be impressive anywhere - our waiter, Josh, was not only educated, witty and charming, but a precision instrument to compliment the kitchen. Every suggestion of wine, timing, cadence was spot on. The food was simply unbelievable. So good mind you, its the kind of good that even if you'd never consider eating a particular something, you would eat it here. Yes, that good. With this type of dining you HAVE to know what you're doing. Each plate was timed perfectly, explained in fascinating detail, and choreographed to compliment the plate before it. It was magic. Yes, it was expensive, but this is an experience I will remember for a very very long time. Thanks Proof. Out of this world good.

    (5)

  • Michael W.

    Again, yelp needs a half star rating available. We had the chef's choice. Some of the dishes were 5 star worthy and some were 4. The Mediterranean chicken and cuscus was 5 star material as was my wife's egg and bread dish (not sure what it was called). My chicken and biscuits was good, but a little on the sweet side, although the hot sauce helped balance it out. My wife's mahi mahi was incredible. The desert coarse was good, but again my wife's dish with squash was too sweet with huge hunks of brown sugar. Even the maple syrup was too much, but it was very creative. My desert was phenomenal. Oranges, pears over a soft almost biscotti bread with white chocolate and a little ice cream was a perfect end to my meal. Got a lot of food for the money. Which is unlike a lot of higher end restaurants. We will be back.

    (4)

  • John L.

    A restaurant that takes its food seriously. Had a business dinner here and had a very good experience. First enjoyed the bar and the mixologist mindset that they bring to their drinks. Enjoyed a whiskey smash made with a local bourbon. Quite tasty and it will now become the pick for my summer drink this season. The food was also very good with a very interesting and engaging menu and specials. The God is done with an artistic flair and everyone in our group was very pleased. Staff was friendly and helpful. It did take a little longer than what we would have liked but I think that was due to out large party and all the roasted marrow everyone ordered. The ambiance is fairly clean and simple and white......which acts like a canvas for the focus to be on the dishes coming from the kitchen. Overall a very good experience and one I would recommend if you are out in Des Moines downtown area. Cheers!!! John

    (4)

  • Samantha S.

    One of the best dining experiences I've had! I've been for both the happy hour and a sit-down, no-rush dinner. The food is fresh, the ingredients unique and the chef is incredible. The menu is constantly changing, which i love, so it's hard to choose a favorite as I love trying something new each time I go. And everyone that works there is so passionate about food, and so intelligent about the cultures behind their menu. It's truly a testament to their staff. If Josh or Myra are working the bar, just tell them your favorite choice of liquor and let them go nuts. You won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Nora H.

    We went to Proof for my sister's bachelorette dinner. What a treat! the cheese and charcuterie plate was so delicious, it did not last long on our table. I had the baba ghanouge, which was simply delightful. I also tried the mussels and they were heavenly. The service is superb, and the atmosphere is clean and intimate.

    (5)

  • Jeff B.

    We had a tasting party here, the staff was extremely friendly and the food and drinks were nice also. I'll go back for another visit. Great view of downtown area. Street parking just outside. Great mediterranean menu selection. nice!

    (4)

  • Mary A.

    Thanks Proof for making out anniversary dinner so delicious! The cheeses were great, loved the tarine, and the gnocchi was so good. Great space and ambiance.

    (5)

  • Brad T.

    Very unusual food.

    (4)

  • Melissa M.

    Spent our Saturday night here this past weekend for their 20th Second Saturday dinner, and I really could not have imagined a more fun way to eat dinner. This 10-course tasting comes highly recommended if you are looking to step outside of the box and put your faith in some really talented people. They try to aim for Iowa meets the Mediterranean, and they do this so incredibly well; it's truly artistic what they put together for each of their meals. From the very beginning, we were welcomed into this fun and light atmosphere with such gusto. Every person there seemed happy to be there, and passionate about what they were doing. Josh stole our hearts, though. He is a thoughtful, fun, and insightful guy who just loves good food and drinks. After our meal, we spent about two hours at the bar just chatting away with him, and I think all of us had a great time. Oh, you want to know about the food? Right. So, for me as a relatively picky eater as far as meats go, I wasn't wild about some of the dishes. However, there are 10. Unless you are Padma or Gail, there's got to be some that just aren't your thing. But the ones that were? Out of this world. I couldn't get enough. So all in all, was it the best meal I've ever had? No, but I sure as heck would gladly go back.

    (4)

  • Jaded D.

    Overall great experience I loved the server she was on point. The pork was amazing and I will def come back for more!

    (4)

  • Kim S.

    Had an amazing meal at Proof last night. Staff couldn't be nicer & have true passion for their work. Food was awesome & though I didn't try any of his creations, Josh mixes neat stuff behind the bar. Next time I'm back from Chicago, this is a must stop for me!

    (5)

  • Lim K.

    After sending an email reservation for Friday @ 6pm some guy from the restaurant called and said they only have reservations available for 5pm or 5:30 pm. So we reserved a table for 5:30pm. We arrived there at 5:15pm and were seated immediately. The place was pretty empty. By the time we finished our meals around 6:15 pm the restaurant was only occupied by a few tables. The tables were covered with white tables cloths but the chairs are cheap plastic. We started off with a beet salad and a Brussel sprouts salad. Both salads looked very pretty. They were tasty but skimpy. The marshmallows in the beet salad was a little strange. For the main course we ordered eggplant lasagna and Spanish ribeye steak. The eggplant lasagna was very good. The steak was delicious and cooked perfectly, medium rare. We were not impressed with the house made crackers. Great service.

    (4)

  • Peter B.

    The beautiful rainbow in the sky over Des Moines only confirmed that I found the pot of gold. What an amazing meal. Very creative and thoughtful menu options and presentation. Congratulations guys. Foodies will find you and love you!

    (4)

  • Joe I.

    Ate here with a small group of co-workers who had driven down together to see a museum in town. Found this place nearby on yelp, and YUM! The ordering situation is a bit awkward if you're a rookie, the decor is a bit sparse, and the place is all metal, plastic and wood so it gets LOUD but man is the food great. All four of us ate every bite on our plates. Delicious.

    (4)

  • Amanda C.

    I've been living in Manhattan the past five years, but I was back in Iowa to visit friends and family. This restaurant would definitely rank in the top tier of New York restaurants for its quality of ingredients, presentation, and mixology. The night before Easter, four of us settled on the five-course prix fixe as it lets you share two appetizers, two entrees, and one dessert. I liked that Proof allowed us to share, rather than insisting one prix fixe per person. Five courses would have been too much for the average eater (a three-course option is also available) but were perfectly-sized portions for us when shared, and we wanted to sample everything since none of us had been there before. The beet salad boasted homemade passionfruit marshmallows whose flavors change with the season. For the unacquainted, freshly-made marshmallows are absolutely nothing like ye olde jet-puffed kind. These delicate, cube-shaped pillows gently melt away in a moment. Savor them. What else crossed our table? Tender pork sausages on skewers fused with herbs and aromatics. Seared jumbo scallops, sweeter than any we'd had before. Pork belly arrived like a steak, unsliced. Peppery pork tenderloin (we may or may not have had pork in three forms) was fork-tender, but the bed of whipped potatoes it sat upon were perhaps the only unimpressive portion of our meal, creamed a bit too smoothly to more closely resemble the instant variety. Our server, Josh, truly made our dining experience exceptional with his cocktail recommendations and vast knowledge on liquors and pairings. We fell in love with him immediately. He patiently answered our random questions like, "What's dragonberry?" or "Do you have anything with aquavit?" with beautiful articulation. He also has incredible hair. I personally recommend the cinnamon-infused scotch drink or the Moroccan 75 if you like your drink with a good kick. Just before dessert, our aquavit inquiry led to a tasting of personally hand-crafted absinthe being brought around, also meant to double as a digestif. Absolutely phenomenal and marvelously smooth with a single ice cube and just the right amount of sugar. I would buy an entire bottle or two if I could; quality such as this is not easy to come by. Dessert arrived, and our palates were delighted beyond belief. One plate exhibited a long wedge of roasted pineapple, half a sphere of ultra-smooth buttermilk ice cream, crumbled honeycomb brittle, and a tender apple fritter that oozed dulce de leche upon puncture. The opposite plate featured lemon sorbet with a white chocolate and vanilla wafer. TL;DR I look forward to coming back here for drinks and dessert. Let Josh recommend something for you!

    (5)

  • Denise J.

    Ate here last night. It was variable. The amuse Bouche was fantastic. We also ordered the terrine - eh - not memorable. I had the duck breast. Ok but not innovative. Scallops were very nice. Above average. Other companion had the steak. Good but again not memorable. We prefer alba.

    (3)

  • Karla S.

    Exceptional service and amazing food. Hands down the best restaurant in Des Moines---and that is saying something. I have been to Proof countless times because of the imaginative dishes and delightful atmosphere. I can not wait until they start serving lunch again during the summer. I celebrated my birthday on Saturday and had a complete blast---the entire staff (from the general manager, to the server, to the kitchen staff) went out of their way to make our group feel special. Bone marrow (a seasonal appetizer) is a must try!

    (5)

  • Daniel L.

    After a long evening, my friend and I came to this Mediterranean-inspired restaurant to take a break from work. The long interior was airy, well lit, and eye pleasing. From top to bottom, the minimalist décor included large windows, bar area, wooden floor, and two rows of tables with white tablecloths to match the walls. We came without reservation but decided to snag the last two remaining seats at the bar. The $35 prix-fixe menu was full of interesting items with mix and matches of ingredients and flavors. Our first course, the Duck Pintxos, arrived with two skewers of grilled marinated duck breast laid on top of curried almonds, sumac, couscous, romesco, and mint yogurt. The duck was very tender but the marinade was too sweet to allow its natural flavors to emerge. The texture of the couscous was spot on, and mint yogurt added finesse touches. This would be a good dish if the duck were cooked medium rare. My friend's choice of Fel-Fel Machi came with fried stuffed peppers, jasmine rice, currants, mint, cilantro, and pickled mustard tzatziki. The fried batter was a bit too thick, prompting the hollow shell to slide off the peppers with ease. The peppers on the other hand were tasty, as was the mix of ingredients that served as a sauce. The mixed result was disappointing given the nice plating and presentation. For the main course, I had the Black Pepper Pork that came with a thick piece of pork loin smothered with crispy bean salad, bacon braised collard greens, and pickled fig and fig gastrique. The pork loin had great black pepper seasoning, but it was cooked too dry except for the fatty edges. I liked the greens and pickled fig, but this dish would have been better had the pork been medium well. The use of the cutting board made the dining experience difficult to manage, especially when the dry meat was hard to cut into. Neither of us liked this dish. My friend's choice of Seared Scallops came with three jumbo scallops served with a layer of razor thin honey glass, green onions, and passion fruit brown sugar. The scallops were unexpectedly rubbery due to the crystalized honey glass. The sweet baseline flavors were unnecessary since it tampered with the natural flavor of the scallops. I still preferred this dish than the pork. For dessert, I had the Milk and Honey that came with a small scoop of honey ice cream, tuile, and sprinkles of black sesame. The combination was a refined experience, but the ice cream was already melting by the time it reached the table. My friends' Chocolate Cremoso fared much better. It came with a scoop of ice cream, caramel, sprinkles of macron almond, cinnamon toast, and thick espresso parfait. The espresso parfait was thick, creamy, and deep in chocolaty flavors. The combination worked with the ice cream with a nice nutty and cinnamon touch. Service was knowledgeable, friendly and attentive. The meal was drawn out so interested diners should expect some wait in between dishes. I like the concept behind the restaurant and its offerings. The ingredients were fresh and consistent with the way contemporary Mediterranean cuisine is defined. However, the technique was lacking and thus missed some key turning points that would otherwise bring out the best in these dishes. Even though my dinner companion was a fan of this restaurant, she too, was disappointed in its showing for this particular evening. I won't be coming back.

    (2)

  • Karee V.

    Best meal we've had in Des Moines and top five ever! Wonderful flavors and pairings, and an overall awesome experience.

    (5)

  • Gerald Z.

    Second time here, FIRST FIVE STAR REVIEW EVER. I took my wife and eldest daughter to celebrate a very special occasion. We all subscribed to the submit tasting menu which means that the chefs make up our dishes for us. We simply tell them if we are allergic to anything and we leave our meal to them. Technically you can eat for as much and as long as you want but we all tapped out at around course: Course 1 - Beet salad with passion fruit marshmallows - possibly the best course. Perfect way to start. Many different flavors and textures. Course 2 - Fresh tomato and mozzarella salad with balsamic - good. Not overly original but the tomatoes were just picked and at the peak of ripeness. The tomatoes were the stars of the dish. Course 3 - Gazpacho with crab meat. Very good gazpacho, the soup was chilled with liquid nitrogen. Amazing Course 4 - Patagonian fish in a saffron broth. Very good. The fish was a bit over. but the broth was light and crisp with some acid and a good saffron flavor Course 5 - Beef Khlea with poached egg - this was just ok. The egg was a bit over and not runny, the beef "jerky" was cut so small it was hard to eat. Course 6 - Roasted Bone Marrow with caramelized onions and warm pita. Luxurious. The marrow and onions go perfectly. I just wish that had served it with a crusty baguette instead of a soft pita. Course 7 - Bloody Mary intermezzo - I didn't get this one, I am not a huge bloody mary fan but I appreciated the effort. Course 8 - Crispy sea bass on a bed of vegetables - this fish was perfectly done, crispy skin, light almost under (perfect) cook on the meat. The vegetables were crisp. So good. Course 9 - Crusted Salmon a top croutons with cheese. Okay this sounds weird but it was an awesome riff on bagels and lox. It really worked and was SOOO good. Course 10 - Crisy Kale with Boudin Noir and poached egg - this was every similar to course 5 but was great. The egg was runny the Kale cut through the richness of the Boudin Noir. My wife couldn't handle the boudin though, props to my daughter for eating it! Course 11 - Goat cheese ice cream with home made lemon poprocks. WOW! this one was awesome and was a perfect palate cleanser after the blood sausage. I have never had anything like this. Course 12 - Roasted eggplant - very good they were able to get the bitterness out of the eggplant, it was rich and tasty. Too much soft though, needed some crunch. Course 13 - Here is where we started to tap...oh my. This course was pork tenderloin with corn and caramelized figs. Very good but the corn was overseasoned. I could have done with just the pork and figs. Course 14 - Even though we tapped out they brought out a cheese platter for us. All very good and helped to settle our stomachs. Course 15 - Dessert - liquid nitrogen Templeton Rye Sorbet on top of butter pecan ice cream and club soda. Kind of a grown up root beer float. Very good but I couldn't drink much of it since I was driving. Overall they wowed us on almost all the courses would have done without numbers 5 and 7 and would have tweaked 13. Am bummed we tapped out on our steak course but we were actually uncomfortable. i have to say that the service here brings it to a 5 star. Josh was our server and he did a tremendous job. He took the time to explain all the dishes and recommended wines for pairing. Would have probably paid at least double what I paid for this meal if i were to get this meal in Chicago. Very good. Thanks Proof.

    (5)

  • Bob B.

    Wonderful Food!! I loved it. Can't wait till I come here again!! Desert =mind blowing!! Only bad thing. No consistent menu!

    (4)

  • Zaneeta M.

    I LOVE that they have $5 cocktails until 7. Very tasty!! The food is very good and the service is fine as it is every time we dine here. I enjoy a nice leisurely meal and my only complaint is sometimes it takes a little too long. Do check it out if you're visiting Des Moines.

    (3)

  • Mary Jo P.

    Never expected to find a restaurant of this calibre here! The food was spectacular! The scallops were big and flavorful served with artichokes, ham with white sauce. My p 'tit tender steak was cooked perfectly with amazing roasted potatoes with a blue cheese creamed spinach. My voice was hoarse and the host noticed it and had hot tea sent to my table! Sweet! Even sent the loose tea home with me. No charge for the tea! 5star restaurant! A must!

    (5)

  • Mark G.

    Awesome place for a fancy dinner, for a reasonable cost. The staff is very laid back and friendly, the decor is very nice, and the food is great. They have some great dishes, I haven't had a bad dish there. I would recommend trying a few different items, good to get the full experience. They have a unique menu that changes so there will be always something new to try, so if you feel like trying something different that tastes great Proof is the place.

    (5)

  • Heather J.

    Most delicious meal I have partaken in Iowa. Stopped in recently before the theatre in a party of two. Each ordered the prix-fix and wine pairing. Astounding! The beet salad (with marinated marshmallows) started things off right, then duck skewers, scallops, steak were each complimented with an excellent wine pairing. The desserts were a delicacy unrivaled. Not even on the current menu so I could not name them. What was so great about this meal is that I tried numerous things I was skeptical about or under the impression that I would not like...not a morsel was sub par and I pretty much loved everything. That my friends is quite an accomplishment. And the marshmallow...unbelievable!

    (5)

  • Natalia P.

    As I have dined here on several occasions, I can say that the menu is diverse and food is perfection. They are trying to cater the restaurant more for dinner, as oppose to the original lunch time grab-and-go. I have tried and can recommend: feta tabbouleh salad falafel chicken shawarma mongolian chicken on pita bread SALMON A LA PLANCHA I have tried several of the desserts, custard and chocolate mousse. I have also had their soup options on two occasions, though nothing too memorable. It hit the spot on a cold winter afternoon. I would say that the prices are on the higher end of what I would normally pay for lunch or dinner (i.e. less fancy location). But I do believe that the quality of the food and preparation speaks for itself, probably beats out most of the surrounding dinner options. The service is phenomenal, as the waiter caters to you and knows the ingredients/preparation of all menu items. The portion sizes are on the smaller end, European style. I did find myself full after appetizer/dinner/dessert but no leftovers. I would return here, if I was in the area for lunch or dinner. Tasty option, though pricey and not my favorite. Cocktails are $5 Wed-Fri. I got the French 75 before, which was really good.

    (4)

  • He And She I.

    We got our reservations a little late in the day, and the compounded the problem by arriving slightly late. And, if we had told our waiter we had tickets to the theater that evening, we probably would not have ordered the delicious tapas appetizer. Also, we had looked forward to locally aged meats, and our waiter was unable to explain the origins of the choices. The food is a little heavy on the savory end of flavor, but very well presented. All of this combined to make our meal a little rushed. We had ordered the set menu, and ended up having to leave our desserts behind in order to make the curtain. Long story made short...plan ahead if you want to enjoy your fine meal here. It will take time. Lots of time. It is worth it, and we may be back, but not on a night when we have other plans for later.

    (4)

  • Mark K.

    Ambitious menu, outstanding fare. Many dishes have a Mediterranean range of ingredients and flavors, while having unexpected additions (example, a beet "marshmallow"). Order the trio of sorbets without reading the menu, then try to guess the ingredients. We got the goat-cheese sorbet, which was very good, and failed dismally to identify the lemon/ginger sorbet, which was sublime. Both the wine and cocktail lists are deep and first-tier. Whatever your wine question, expect a full answer.

    (5)

  • J M.

    Appetizers are great! Nice selection of wine and specialty cocktails are interesting. Small space for dining and bar is small as well but bartenders are awesome!! If you are visiting, definitely give it a try!

    (4)

  • Matthew O.

    Was pretty excited to see a few Iowa/Omaha restaurants nominated for James Beard awards, so on a recent road trip to Chicago I decided to check out Proof for lunch. I ordered the Moroccan Chicken with a bowl of Beef/Pork Stew. Flavors were great. Stew had a delicious broth with some great depth of flavor. Really enjoyed it. My Moroccan Chicken was good, well seasoned, but the chicken was overcooked and surprisingly dry. The sauce was creamy and tasty but unevenly applied. Some bites had a lot, some had very little. Pita bread was perfect. Mmmmm. Really enjoyed the layout, decor and simplicity of this place; walk up to the counter and a friendly employee takes your order on an iPad. A nice selection of drinks -- soda, juices, beer, wine, liquor. Restaurant was busy with multiple guests and all of their entrees looked great. Mine definitely hit the spot, but it's hard to forgive dry chicken at a place that sets high expectations -- especially with a James Beard Award nomination. I would love to try dinner here sometime or order from the Entrée menu for lunch.

    (3)

  • Katrina W.

    Went for the first time last night for Des Moines Restaurant Week. Not only was the food fantastic and the menu was inventive and interesting, but I was impressed by the professionalism and friendliness of the service. My order? Tomato heirloom salad (goat cheese and honey combo is my jam), white wine clams in linguine (can't ever resist), and smoky chocolate ice cream to finish (savory ice cream? Count me in). I also ordered the lavender martini, which was fresh and perfect for the summer weather. Highly recommend. I even followed their Instagram afterward!

    (5)

  • Miki B.

    Interesting menu and good preparation. Would rate 4 star but prep is inconsistent. ..sometime very good and other times things like sand in scallops. .ugh.

    (3)

  • Hub J.

    My girlfriend and I had the 3 prize fixe with wine pairings. It was the best wine pairings I have ever had! The flavors complemented each other. They won me over!! Highly recommended. Ask for Eric, he was very patient and educated us on the meal as well as the wine and regions they came from. The food was excellent, the best tenderloin ever.

    (5)

  • TandM S.

    More than any other restaurant in Des Moines, this place is combining exciting ingredients in delicious dishes. Eaten here a few times already and every time is amazing. The food is always great, and the service is friendly and professional. Best restaurant in Des Moines in my opinion.

    (5)

  • Cynthia M.

    Definitely top notch. Great bartenders with a fun drink menu and a willingness to talk to you to find a drink you'll love. Pleasant atmosphere, refined but approachable. Delicious very local impression food. Love love love this place and will definitely be back if I get the opportunity! :)

    (5)

  • Danny B.

    Went there for a Valentine feast with my loved one and had a wonderful time. This was our first time there and we could not have asked for better service. From the moment we were seated, we knew that this restaurant was special. The service was beyond what we expected and the food was great. It was evident that the employees there truly liked working there, everyone was friendly and very personable. We were served from a blind menu. I really enjoyed the beet marshmallow, totally blew my mind. We will return to enjoy this restaurant again.

    (5)

  • Jeanne M.

    Impressive! I'm from NY & my husband is from NJ...but we live in CA now (food in CA doesn't compare to east coast food). Anyway, we're driving from CA to NY for vacation & a family wedding. We like to eat healthy...even on the road so we always search vegetarian restaurant on Yelp. We split the mixed salad & vegetable paella & they were both soooo delicious! There's alot of creativity here & I love the special days they have...like prix fixe 8 course (or more) menu. Makes you hang out with your good company longer...that's how we do it in the east coast. This place would do well in NYC! If we come back this way, we will be back again! PS-it was clean & classy.

    (5)

  • Julia A.

    The Spring Mix salad was my favorite thing on the menu. The Chicken Schwarma was pretty good. The Salmon was good. The steak medallions were very good. Not a fan of the lamb-kabob. Service was excellent.

    (4)

  • Pat W.

    I have been to two of the Proof Saturday evening "tasting events". The food is amazing and adventurous - come hungry, because there are no tiny, nouvelle cuisine portions here! The staff is wonderful and explains each course. I have lived in major cities and this restaurant would hold its own in any of them! After a year in Des Moines, I have moved to Austin - my friend recently sent me a text with a course from their meal recently and I was SO sorry I wasn't there to enjoy it too...

    (5)

  • Brad S.

    Wouldn't have thought of Proof for happy hour, but tried it last week, and can't wait to go back. Having had their amazing Moroccan 75 cocktail at the Battledish Dishcrawl, I was excited to see it on the happy hour menu as well. It was just as tasty six months later- a perfectly memorable blend of sweet and spicy from the mulled chilies. Paired great with their baba ganoush. We know and love Proof for their inventive dinners and truly great hospitality. We're excited to see that same blend in a happy hour too! We'll be back, soon!

    (5)

  • Brooke P.

    LOVE LOVE LOVE Proof. Get the salmon, hands down, get the salmon. How do they achieve such a perfect crunch on the filet? It is served over a bed of risotto that is so creamy. I must get some soon! Good clean food with a modern atmosphere. Great for lunch during the week. I do not recommend it for dinner though, I believe it is a fixed menu and quite pricey.

    (5)

  • Dave M.

    Thursday night is 1/2 off wine, so go to Proof then for certain! Overall, I really enjoyed this place. Hip atmosphere, friendly staff, plenty of wine to select from and tapas are great. I love the view of the city (13th & Locust). Plenty of parking near the building.

    (4)

  • Gina D.

    We had a wonderful time at proof last night @ their Super Saturday Suppers! We loved each course and the wine pairings. It was fantastic!

    (5)

  • K W.

    The food was great! The beet salad was excellent. The Spanish roasted eggplant was very flavorful. The choices of entrees and deserts were great as well. Our waiter Josh was quite knowledgeable about the menu and really helped us with the cheese plate and with our wine choices. I went with two other people and we all enjoyed our dinner at Proof. The music and artwork added to our wonderful experience!

    (5)

  • Libby C.

    You want a super amazing evening? Call ahead and do "submit" at Proof (Where you submit to their special menu, created just for you!). We did it for my husbands birthday and it was the BEST food experience of my life. We made it through about 13 courses which were all no less than incredible. The service was impeccable as always and I loved the chefs coming out periodically to present a course and check on our evening. Overall unreal dining experience, highly recommend!

    (5)

  • Monica S.

    It was pricey, but the food, service, and simple ambiance (with a nice view of the sculpture garden downtown) was worth it. I'd really like to try their lunches next time.

    (3)

  • Jim Z.

    Oh my ..... This food is incredible!! There is lots of parking so there is no excuse to not go here. Really I mean it. The food, the service, the ability to eat out door or indoor makes this a must go to restaurant. Did I mention it is super healthy too because the ingredients are all real food. Heather J is right on.

    (5)

  • Kathy W.

    A group of us from four different cities - Dallas, Nashville, Ann Arbor and Atlanta - stepped into Proof for dinner ... and wow! Jeremiah was our superb server - knowledgeable and enthusiastic without being condescending or cloying. The food is amazing: pork with sumac, scallops with artichoke hearts ... which Jeremiah "deconstructed" for us so we could appreciate the intricate taste combinations! We didn't know the wines at all - but once he knew what taste we generally like in a wine he brought samples and was SPOT-ON with his recommendations. We were almost embarrassingly pleased (think Meg Ryan over dinner) with our selections. Proof has original cocktails as well as the standards; they make their own bitters. The room is shot-gun, modern and acoustically quite loud with singles and business types as well as couples dining the evening we were there. This is truly a magnificent place - nothing like it in my town of Nashville, where everyone thinks we have such a cool dining scene. Come to Des Moines and study great food. It's here!

    (5)

  • Missy B.

    The menu is limited but the quality of food is fine. I went here for lunch based on a friend's recommendation, and just didn't think it was worth making the trip downtown. Though the view was nice. The spinach and apple salad was a salad with very basic ingredients and, unfortunately, was drowned in dressing (I hope it wound up confessing something of use to the person who tossed it.) My friend liked his tilapia and risotto. It was a lunch. The reviews and recommendation were for dinner, so maybe lunch is more for the 9-5 working stiffs who are too busy with their smart phones to remember what they ate.

    (3)

  • Valerie S.

    I went to Proof for a friend's birthday dinner as part of a recent visit to Des Moines. It was, to be quite honest, my first multi-course meal, and it was certainly a brand new experience in terms of the ordering and foods that I tried. Of particular interest was the structure of the menu. Allowing patrons to choose A) the number of courses and B) the course items themselves regardless of order, gives the whole meal a much more exciting atmosphere. I loved particularly that our server said that the kitchen will present the food in the proper order, rather than allowing me to order the heavier flavors too early. I am no cook, but I definitely trust the cooks at Proof after my dinner. The best thing of the night was a goat cheese ice cream with beet ganache and pop rocks. POP ROCKS. Who comes up with that stuff? It was the kind of course where everyone is smiling because you can't help but enjoy it, and actually, the entire meal was that way. It was definitely a new experience, and provided me with opportunities to try all kinds of new foods I might not otherwise, with great company and friendly service.

    (4)

  • Tori C.

    This place is so amazing that I want to drive 5.5 hours from Chicago to come back here. Myself and co workers came here often while we worked in Des Moines, both for lunch and dinner. Lunch is by far the better deal for your money with many of the same and similar dishes on the dinner menu, but for a better price. I have tried many of the dishes and loved them all - Lamb Burger, Moroccan Chicken, Salmon, cheese plate, etc. I can't remember them all, but I can remember that I loved them all. The servers know the food inside and out and everyone seems very passionate about it. The decor is pretty sparse, but the food more than makes up for it. The one cocktail that I did try was just as interesting as the food - bourbon and celery juice. Love this place. Seriously considering making the haul to come back. It's that good.

    (5)

  • Chitterne B.

    I have to admit, I came here with low expectations. I had been told tales of a wannabe- hipster trainwreck that must have gotten lost on it's way from Brooklyn to San Francisco. And I can't say these things were not true of the ambiance and service. The grungy waitstaff didn't seem to understand their menu and gave some rather bizarre, flowery, and uninformative descriptions of menu items. We ordered the wine pairings and some of them were plunked down on the table with no mention of what they were, all the whites far too cold. The awful whiney music (I won't use the "H" word, I won't use the "H" word...) made me wish I had brought earplugs. Just making the initial reservation required filling out a questionnaire including questions along the lines of "what is the last concert you saw?" I am happy to say that there is a huge disconect between the concept, atmosphere, and service and the food at Proof. HUGE. The food was delicious and innovative, yet not at all over-the-top. The beet "salad" was actually a beet "marshmallow" with a few accompanying veggies and well-paired cheese, The almond-crusted scallops were cooked to perfection and, in true Iowa style, accompanied by a crispy cured coppa. The favorite dish at the table was the gorgeous and delicious seared petite tender; a perfectly-cooked, generous portion of beef shoulder accompanied by a hot skillet of carmelized mushrooms, onions, and marrow, served with an egg on top. The dessert selection was just as varied and interesting as the rest of the menu. (I believe they have expanded their menu since some of the other reviews on here were written - I would certainly not characterize it as "small" or "limited"). The sorbets (tomato, chevre, and rosemary) were a favorite (though the chevre was more of an ice cream than a sorbet), and the comparitively "boring"-sounding cardamom brownie was anything but. Best part? The meat and seafood-heavy 3-course prix fixe menu was just $30, and the accompanying wine pairings only $15. Pretend the service and ambiance is a comedy show (Portlandia live, perhaps?) and you've got yourself quite a deal.

    (4)

  • John B.

    Best meal of the road trip. Hard to imagine that there's anything any better within 50 miles. Until Proof has a peer group in Des Moines, I'd cut it a bit of slack. Also, good food is "expensive" because bad food is subsidized. Proof isn't even expensive, though. I had scallops and tabbouleh for $12 and the scallops were cooked properly and weren't too salty (patrons who wish to abuse themselves can use the table shakers). Greens were fresh and beer was especially good because it was priced Des Moines style.

    (5)

  • Denise M.

    Love love love the lamb burger! The Martinez martini was awesome as well. Great prices, great food. I did not sense any snobbery but passion from the staff about the awesome and unique food they serve!

    (5)

  • Michael G.

    I went to Proof for their "Second Saturday" special. It's a 10 course meal prepared for couples to share. It's different every month, but every item we tried was brilliant and delicious. It was a great way to try a multitude of different dishes that one might not be brave enough to try if ordering just one entree. The service was exceptional and the drink list unique. I would highly recommend this place (especially on "2nd Saturdays") for any adventurous couples who love trying new things.

    (5)

  • Colin S.

    Sophisticated lunch spot to change up the barrage of subs and burritos. Falafel is AMAZING, and the tabouli salad isn't bad either.

    (5)

  • Lisa W.

    We had dinner at Proof last Saturday night and it was one of the best meals I've had in Des Moines. We did not have reservations, but were seated right away. The atmosphere is great, with lots of windows overlooking the street, and very comfortable. The service was excellent - friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive but not intrusive. The food is where Proof really shines. The roasted marrow appetizer, served with a parsley and caper salad, red onion jam, and crusty bread was rich and creamy and oh so good. The beet salad, with housemade passion fruit marshmallows and blood oranges was creative and also yummy. For my entree I had the scallops and pork belly. The scallops were expertly cooked, as was the pork belly. They were served in a creamy broth that was the perfect compliment to the scallops and pork. My date had the best entree of the evening though, the sumac and black pepper pork. He was nice enough to give me several bites of this and it was the best pork dish I have ever had anywhere. It was moist and absolutely delicious. We ended the evening with the pumpkin cake which was also very good. I thought the portion sizes were just right and the prices very reasonable for this type of restaurant. You're not going to get chain-size portions here. Proof emphasizes quality, creativity, and flavor in their food and the results are fantastic. I highly recommend Proof and we will definitely be returning in the near future.

    (5)

  • Keren F.

    Went for the tasting menu twice. The first time was great and the second not as good. On round #1 we went for the early seating. The food was inventive and the dinner flowed well. The only problem was that they forgot our duck course, but did send it home with us when we asked about it. On Round #2 we went for the second seating and waited about 30 minutes to get to our table. They seemed to be in the weeds all night, because there were long gaps between courses. This time, chef did a menu based on famous foods from US cities. Overall it wasn't great, but I have to commend him for the effort. Although the mustard ice cream with the "chicago dog" was surprisingly delicious. No one else in Des Moines is making this kind of food. We will go back and order off the regular menu and probably try another tasting this summer when fresh, local veggies are available.

    (4)

  • Amreeta C.

    I went here at 9.08pm - the yelp showed the restaurant to be opened until 10pm. The hostess told me and my friend that they were closed. I saw a couple of tables filled and people eating in, but the hostess explained that they close depending on how the business is. I wish they had put the kitchen-closing hours on Yelp properly, so I didn't have to drive across the city to be told they close at anytime they wish. Very inconvenient and impolite.

    (1)

  • Sean And McKinze F.

    Had a delicious lunch here: an amazing, perfectly seasoned and cooked lamb burger; and veggie paella that was good, although not as impressive to either of us as the burger. We liked the minimalist decor and ordering/paying at the counter when you first come in, as opposed to having a waiter and a check later. Tons of natural light and a busy (but not crowded) environment. Small menu of simple ingredients cooked to perfection - can't ask for better than that. A nice find in Des Moines. PROS: Absolutely delicious lamb burger -- huge, flavorful and reasonably priced CONS: None

    (5)

  • Justin B.

    Proof was nothing short of a delightful experience. I have eaten here for lunch a total of 4 times and have never been disappointed. I like the "walk up and order, then sit and we will deliver it" concept. They will come out to bring your food and refill water / tea, so a tip (just a little smaller) is necessary. Value Overview I have eaten here with client and friends and the service is great, and the food, especially for the price is amazing! I saw a few complaints in earlier reviews for price. Diners take note, that the ingredients here aren't frozen in a bag. They are generous with the spices and use fresh ingredients. To charge what they do is nothing short of a miracle. Plate Size As far as plate size, Yes, when they bring it out it appears to be a small plate size. It is quite filling however. Once again, keep in mind this is processed chain food, this is REAL food, and more nutrients means a full tummy. Menu Recap )) shrimp/paella - Amazing flavor, perfect texture, pulled at PERFECT cooking temperate. Shrimp had a fresh bite, and vegetables were tender, but not mush. There was no holding back on various herbs and spices here. Well done! )) scallops/tabbouleh - Chefs take note. Proof cooks their scallops correctly. Again, pulled at perfect temperature and that tabbouleh is served with spectacular color from the green onion / carrot bit mix. The flavor here is outstanding, perfect blend of spices. )) salmon/risotto cake Oh! So this is what Salmon is supposed to taste like! (I am glad they didn't treat it like a steak) I remember this was fantastic, but will withhold more comments due to this experience being quite some time ago. Leave the salt & pepper off your food people, Proof gets it right every time, and I will religiously follow this place.

    (5)

  • Henry R.

    Good food and casual, contemporary atmosphere. Dishes are prepared well and correctly proportioned. Excellent place for a date or bite to eat before going out downtown.

    (4)

  • Vikash S.

    This place is awesome. A bit fancier than most of the other places I eat at, but well worth it. Service was phenomenal-the waiter was polite beyond desire and super knowledgeable about all the dishes. Wait time is kept to a minimum and the food is FANTASTIC. Dishes ordered: Tabbouleh salad, cauliflower soup (special), falafel, roasted eggplant. Everything was delicious. I don't even like salad-but I loved my tabbouleh salad with walnuts. I also splurged a bit on french sheep's cheese and was not disappointed. Two apps, 2 entrees, and a cheese plate came out to around $45 bucks. I believe this is because soup and salad are discounted when coupled with an entree. All in all, a very positive experience, would definitely come back here again.

    (5)

  • Lianne N.

    Very good. I went twice... once for chicken and cous cous, and the other time for Lamb Burger Flatbread w/salad. Both meals were delicious. The restaurant is small, with a slight pretense of elegance. It crowds up easily, but it seemed to have a pretty quick turnover on tables.

    (4)

  • Jp P.

    Wonderful food great service .... You have to try the pork belly and scallops.... Great job

    (5)

  • Steve H.

    My favorite lunch spot in all of the Des Moines metro. Lamb burgers are amazing. We haven't been there for dinner yet, but heard it is amazing as well. Only knock is the prices have gone up a little, but that hasn't stopped us from going there.

    (5)

  • Chris M.

    Had dinner here during my business trip to Des Moines. Read good reviews on this very site so I gave it a shot. Typical trendy restaurant. Bare in decor, basic tables and chairs. The menu had all the makings of a trendy restaurant as well. Clever titles and fancy names. I ordered the tomato bisque and the Salmon with butternut squash succotash. The tomato bisque was superb. I did bite into some coarse chunks of cracked pepper but maybe some people like it. What I loved about the bisque is that it wasn't overly creamy and felt quite healthy. The salmon dish. Salmon perfectly cooked, crispy on top (opposite side of the skin) yet not overcooked on the inside. The butternut squash was another story. Half of the butternut squash (about 7 small dice size peices) were undercooked bordering raw (despite clear sear marks on them), crunchy and not appetizing while the other half were cooked properly. When the waiter asked the chef he came back saying that indeed some peices will be cooked more than others. This was a rhetorical question because I knew the answer. No it should not be uneven and if you intended it to be raw then serve them all raw. I do give them credit, they offered to cook more and I took the offer but my salmon was getting cold so I ended up eating pure butternut squash at the end. May be just me but if an accompaniment to a main course is not executed correctly and I have to wait another 8 minutes for it my food will get cold. Portion size was meager for the price but I expected it due to the fancy names. I have no problem with this if the dish was executed correctly. Soup took 15 minutes to arrive and the main course 10 more minutes. Staff was very pleasant to speak to when I was attended. In conclusion: Pros: Grest tasting tomato bisque, friendly staff. Con: long wait, small portion, poor execution of main course Conclusion: wont be coming back. Cons outweighed the pros. First impressions last a lifetime.

    (3)

  • Russell O.

    I've finally gotten around to reviewing this gem - I rolled through Des Moines during my relocation from Salt Lake to Minneapolis. After a thousand miles of McD's, it was time for something decent - thanks to yelp I found Proof. They were booked for the night, but were able to accomodate a single - very nice and attentive staff. Everything I had was great, but the real standout was the beet salad complete with homemade beet infused marshmellows resting on a bed of olive 'soil/dirt'. Phenomenal!

    (5)

  • Katherine L.

    This is the kind of restaurant that makes me think that maybe, just maybe, I could happily live in Iowa - or at least Des Moines. My husband and I had a delicious lunch (lamb burger, scallops) that were accompanied by fresh, simple but well-dressed salad greens. I sincerely wish that we had stayed in town long enough to have dinner too. Not to be too snobbish about the midwest, but this is a restaurant I would happily frequent in Portland or Brooklyn at much higher prices. The lunch we had was absolutely excellent.

    (5)

  • Kris M.

    Proof was excellent. Here on a business trip and definitely worth a stop. I had the vegetarian paella and it was awesome. A very unique dish with great flavors. I highly recommend and I'm not a vegetarian. The staff was very helpful in recommending a glass of red wine (Mencia from Spain) that would pair well with the dish. I would definitely return. A little surprised that you order at the counter and they bring the food to you (maybe this is just during lunch?). Don't let this deter you.

    (5)

  • Matt D.

    One of my favorite restaurants in town for lunch. Haven't had a bad meal yet, though the lamb burger can be a little too much grease for one sitting for me. The Mediterranean Chicken is one of the best dishes in town, and great with soup or salad. The price (~$8) is a little higher than I like to spend at lunch, but is absolutely worth it at Proof, especially when considering how much lunch costs at other, inferior downtown restaurants. I've only eaten dinner once at Proof, so I can't give it a thorough review. My date and I split a prix fixe meal ($40, normally for one person), with a memorable watermelon and mint salad where the watermelon was stacked up in a pillar. Dinner was a bit pricey, but again it was worth the money. I would go more often for dinner, but limited hours and the price mean that dinners at Proof will be reserved for truly special occasions. I would recommend Proof to anyone looking to treat themselves to a lovingly prepared, fresh and flavorful meal for lunch, and to anyone looking to celebrate a special occasion for dinner. And it can't really hurt that one of the servers looks like Marilyn Monroe.

    (5)

  • Bren S.

    The people in this place were very friendly to me when I walked in. The lady took the time to explained everything I asked. The salad with feta, tabboulli, romaine, curried almonds, carrots, and drenched herb-buttermilk was good. Would rather have the dressing on the the side since it was to much. Probably would not get this again because of the dressing issue. I also got the vegetable falafel flat bread, with root relish, house cheese, and harissa aioli. It was my first time trying falafel, so I can't say whether it's good or not. It would make a good appetizer though!

    (3)

  • C M.

    the first time I went I was blown away by what great food and wine. Service was excellent. I thought in SF (my hometown) you would pay over $100 per person for this quality food (with wine) and service. The 2nd time I went back it was OK... perhaps my expectations were too high. I would go back again given the opportunity. their cheese selection seems limited, I wanted to try something new the 2nd time I was there (2 visits separated by 4 weeks span) and the menu hadn't changed much.

    (4)

  • Gigi F.

    In Des Moines on business. Found my way to this fabulous restaurant! Service was good, and the cheese board made me wish I had other diners with me, to enjoy the variety. I started with the house olives and marcona almonds. I chose Lamb Meatballs with pepperonata and toasted sesame seeds as an appetizer. Very good - it was brought to the table in a small skillet. The only thing that would have made it better is if it would have been hotter (temperature). For Dinner, seared scallops with tabouli, harissa aioli and shaved cucumber. Different and Delicious! If I find myself in Des Moines again, I will visit Proof again!

    (4)

  • Todd M.

    This review is based on 7 dining experiences: six lunches and one dinner. Proof is trying to offer a different lunch experience: the value proposition is a simple Mediterranean lunch in a pared down aesthetic, and it's working very well. The choices for lunch number around a dozen, including soup and salad, a small number of entrees and sandwiches. The sandwiches are served on lavash (merguez sausage, lamb burger, falafel, are among the choices) and come with a side of soup or salad. The sandwiches are surprisingly filling, and the soups are hearty and ever-changing. The Friday dinners were themed at first, but with a few exceptions, the restaurant now focuses on a bistro-style dinner menu. Items are available a la carte or there's a $40 prix fixe option. A recent Friday: beet and pine nut salad with Maytag blue cheese; bbq duck, pear, La Quercia prosciutto kebabs; braised beef and romano gnudi; and a flourless chocolate cake with blackberry cabernet sorbet. The sorbet was off the charts - rich blackberry flavor and sweetness with the tartness of the wine still evident. Service is friendly and efficient, unobtrusive. At lunch, you order at the counter and seat yourself. At dinner, it's a more conventional restaurant experience. The restaurant's design is minimal; hardwood floors, off-white walls. The message is clear: the food matters, and you and your dining companions matter. The rest is a blank slate.

    (5)

  • Neil C.

    I was flying out of Des Moines, and wanted to get lunch with my girlfriend before leaving Iowa. We settled on going to Proof after reading the Yelp reviews, and I loved it! I got the lamb "burger", which was delicious: lovely sauce, and the lamb they give you is cooked very well -- it's not at all like some lamb burgers, which taste more or less like beef. It was more of a pita sandwich than a burger, but that was fortunate, because their pita is very good. The presentation of the food and the decor of the place are both beautiful. I also got the lamb soup, which was good, although not amazing. My girlfriend got the falafel sandwich, which was interesting: nothing like any falafel I've ever had before. Strong taste of carrot. Worth trying, although I didn't like it as much as mine. I noticed that both of our sandwiches more or less fell apart as we were towards the end of eating them -- they try to pack a LOT of stuff into a relatively small pita. Overall, it was a fantastic lunch, and I'd definitely go back.

    (5)

  • Courtney T.

    Proof is fabulous. Simple, modern decor lets food be the star here. I have a hard time ordering anything other than the scallops with tabbouli because it's SO amazing. I also love their flour-less chocolate cake. This is a perfect lunch date or lunch meeting spot.

    (5)

  • Lizbeth V.

    This is my first time going to this so called "great" restaurant and the food was terrible. The duck confit I ordered was overcooked the top it was burnt and I was expecting something cooked by a professional cook not even a chef. When we tried to order cheese and appetizers our options were limited because they ran out of many menu items. When it came to our drinks they were delicious but took way too long to come out. The only choice I had for an appetizer was good but not what I originally wanted because they also ran out. I hope this was a one time thing and no one else experiences this.

    (1)

  • Nathan D.

    Amazing food. Good value for the quality of the food you get. The bramble is an amazing drink. Great staff. Only issue is once you find what you love they go and change the menu and you have to start searching for your favorite meal all over again. Oh the humanity! I am totally coming here for my birthday for their submit option. Finally, I have never been here for a lunch, but I hear from reputable sources that it is in fact, a lunch.

    (5)

  • Jessica J.

    Hands down, Proof has some of the best food in DSM. Its refreshing menu always offers a nice Mediterranean/Middle Eastern inspired array of dishes with fine dining love and low prices. Everything I've ever eaten from Proof has been delicious, served hot and timely, and gives you plenty of bang for your buck. The veggie falafel is out of this world and their desserts are to DIE for. I like the casual set up of ordering at the counter and getting service at the table, and the only criticism I have of Proof is the loud factor. During lunch you can barely hear your dining partner, which can be fixed by eating outside, but still, no restaurant is perfect!

    (5)

  • Ariane C.

    I'm done with Proof. This restaurant has received so many accolades, but my experiences have never lived up to the hype. Firstly, the menu isn't great- very little explanation as to what you are actually ordering and it's a bit expensive for lunch. $8 for basic salads (add $4 if you want meat), $10 for flatbread sandwiches, $12 for entrees (usually a protein and a carb like pasta or couscous), $7 for a bowl of soup. Today, my husband had the flatbread brisket sandwich and I had seafood with linguine. His brisket was so fatty and chewy he could hardly chew it and ended up spitting out most of it. I had to ask what my dish came with since "seafood linguini" is pretty generic - found out it had clams, mussels and shrimp in a light wine sauce. Thought that sounded good, but when it came the sauce was cream-based (would have been nice to know). Also, of the 3 mussels on my plate, 2 of them were closed - completely unacceptable. There were also small broken mussel pieces in at least 2-3 bites of my food. I'm all for eating locally, but refuse to frequent places that are inconsistent and charge too much for the quality you get.

    (2)

  • Trish T.

    I was fortunate (Ha, Des Moines I know) to get to work a lot in Des Moines last summer. The local library PR person reco'ed Proof and we were not disappointed. This is one of those places that usually mostly organic ingredients so once they're out of something for the day, they're out. Every meal comes with either a salad or a soup and I'm pretty sure the menu changes frequently. I got the lamb sliders. I believe there were three of them that I could barely finish. The staff was pleasant as we ordered our food at the counter. They then bring it to you. I hope to get back there this summer - if you go, go early for lunch!

    (5)

  • Christian R.

    What a pleasant surprise! I had lunch here last Friday with a colleague. I ordered a lamb stew with flatbread and a tomato bisque soup, and I must say that I was very impressed with the quality of the food (excellent!) for such a reasonable price. I have seen other reviewers say that this is expensive, but for the quality, I think it is surprisingly inexpensive ($10). Go look at their website for the ever-changing menu. ( proofrestaurant.com ) Definitely adding this to my short-list of lunch locations downtown!

    (5)

  • Kristina D.

    This is an amazing restaurant; beautiful space and a great staff. We had our pre-wedding dinner there and the owner could not have been more helpful. The food is amazing and whenever we're in Des Moines we make it a point to come to Proof. The area it's in is way cute, no problems with parking, good music, decent prices and very good food. The menu that we chose for our dinner was a combination of lamb and seafood dishes and everything was perfect.

    (5)

  • Charles B.

    On the last day of a recent visit to Des Moines, my mother insisted that we go to Proof. Having just eaten an outrageously tasty Vietnamese meal the day before, I whined like a little girl, hoping that mommy would take us back to A Dong instead. But Mom is a smart, smart lady, and she completely ignored me. So we went to Proof in a group of five people, and ordered a total of seven dishes... which meant that we ate more than half the menu between us. And everything was insanely good. I'm a huge fan of the chicken couscous, but the lamburger special was right up there. And that makes me want to whine some more. I live in the middle of Manhattan, and I couldn't dream of getting food this good at this price at more than a handful of places within, say, 20 blocks of our apartment. Proof might be a little bit pricey by Iowa standards, but it's pretty darned awesome... I'll be all over this place whenever I come back to Des Moines.

    (5)

  • KJ H.

    Best lunch ever in DSM! My best friend loves this place and I am lucky to have had the opportunity to eat at Proof. We ordered the Lamb Burger and Chicken couscous. Both were outstanding and full of flavor. I wish I lived in DSM so I could eat here everyday!

    (5)

  • John D.

    I wish I could write a longer review but I loved my lunch here today. The lamb burger was exquisite and the salad was quite good too. UPDATE: I ate at Proof probably 20 more times during the many campaign stops in Des Moines. It was always perfect.

    (5)

  • Jeffrey N.

    Proof is a quality lunch spot downtown with a small menu that's large on taste. I had the lamb on flatbread and it was fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. My coworkers gave the other items mixed reviews. All positive; some more than others. If you can afford the $8-$9 for lunch this is a great place to go. You're getting quality food for your money. Be prepared though, it is a busy spot for lunch.

    (4)

  • Brandon C.

    This is a falling star. Something that was good initially has recently turned to crap. Do not order the flatbread brisket, unless you want really chewy fatty pieces with little flavor. They do not know how to cook brisket. Soup was better this time the Apple bisque. Last time got the Peperjack that was not peppery at all and watered down. I used to be a fan, but I disappointed two times in a row, means I'm done.

    (1)

  • Stacy B.

    I was really looking forward to eating here, as the lunch menu looks interesting and the place gets excellent reviews. The falafel was decent, but nothing to die for. The atmosphere is minimal and tasteful, while the staff is attentive. Not bad for the price, but if you're craving Mediterranean food, I'd recommend Open Sesame.

    (3)

  • C D.

    Visiting from the East Coast we got a recommendation for Proof and decided to check out the Friday dinner 35$ person prefix. For first course we had wasabi/green pea soup and asparagus crepe For second course we had feta chicken with risoto and beef w/ black kinoa and we ended with a cheese plate and flowerless chocolate . We had a half bottle of penot gris. The soup was excellent as the wasabi added an unusual kick to the delicious peas. The asparagus crepe was cooked to perfection and the crunchiness was delightful. The chicken was done exactly right, was juicy and flavorful, with the resoto complimenting with some spiciness. The beef was cooked to perfection too and the black kinoa side was interesting making it fun to devour peaces of beef heaped on the black kinoas contrasting texture. The food was above expectations. The flavors were truly original and it wasn't just someone trying to play fancy--the food was artfully put together. Proof fell short when it came to service. Although we had a reservation, the hostess told us upon arrival that a party stayed longer then expected so she has no idea when they'll have a table for us. Then, 5 minutes later, she asked us if we can be seated in high stools, which was fine by us. The servers did not provide an explanation as to what we were getting (ex., when you get a cheese plate, you kindof want to know what you got). Although being extremely friendly, the service didn't seem very professional and was below what you would expect for this price range and quality. Overall, Proof is a fun place to check out if you're visiting and want a great culinary experience. Hopefully, additional staff training will be provided, so the accommodations can be at par with the food.

    (4)

  • Donnie S.

    3 meals in 4 days, it's that good. I hate to give out a lot of 5 star reviews, but DesMooines really surprised me. This place is AMAZING and fairly priced, if not cheap. Scallops, out of control, Lamb burgers, amazing, Salmon with risotto cake, YUM. Oh and get one of their brownies, they are crazy good. Great atmosphere, friendly staff, wonderful decor, quick gourmet meal... GO THERE!!

    (5)

  • Kelli J.

    My husband and I dined at Proof for lunch yesterday. Amazing! He had the lamb burger, he said it was one of the best meals he's eaten in Des Moines. I had the veggie falafel w/a side salad, really good. Great value. Nice space, from the photos it might seem a bit cramped, but there is plenty of room between tables. Can't wait to try a dinner there when we're in town next.

    (5)

  • William D.

    Yep it's worth it! Attention to detail is key. Great great food! They were busy as can be but stopped and helped me learn the ropes with a smile. No snobby attitude that usually comes with health conscious establishments.

    (5)

  • Collin B.

    If I am in downtown for lunch I will usually go there. The lamb burger and the Moroccan chicken are very good and it is reasonably priced. The staff is nice and the food is consistently good. I have to say that their local food and friendly service has won me over. The only thing I wish is that they were open for dinner more then just a couple nights a week.

    (4)

  • Andrea M.

    Myself and a group from work ate at Proof for lunch today, one week after it opened. This is where Beggar's Banquet used to be at 13th & Locust St. It's the same format as Beggar's Banquet: you order & pay at the counter, then they bring your food out to your table. That's where the similarities end. Proof is a little pricey for your typical lunch place, but no one left hungry. I ordered the roasted pork flat bread with the carrot ginger bisque soup. The soup was delicious. It tasted like Thanksgiving: sweet & gingery. The flat bread sandwich was good as well with a generous portion of pork in between the bread. I have just minor complaints. The fat wasn't cut off of the pork, and that grossed me out because I don't like eating the fat. The sandwich also had a great horseradish spread on it, but it was smothered on waaay too thick. So much that it kept spilling out all over my hands & I had to grab more napkins. It was also a little surprising, as it isn't mentioned as having horseradish. Maybe a problem for someone who doesn't care for it. My total bill with tip (I had water to drink) was $11. That's more than I care to pay for a sandwich and cup of soup. However, it was tasty! Other people in the group tried the chicken and mushroom soup which they raved about. Other flat breads include lamb, chicken, beef and veggie. There are several salads on the menu and some other items as well. They have canned soda and wine/beer. The dining area is simple and classy. They are open for just lunch Mon-Thurs and lunch & dinner on Fridays (which is a themed dinner, different every week). All in all, great food, just a little too expensive for lunch in my opinion.

    (3)

  • Melissa W.

    I was in Des Moines for work, downtown with an hour free, and no clue where to go for lunch. I stumbled upon Proof and I am thrilled I did. The food was excellent, the ambiance was welcoming and the staff was superb. I had salmon on risotto. My fish was cooked perfectly-moist with a lot of flavor, and the risotto was creamy and appropriately crispy. I could not have asked for a better meal.

    (5)

  • Sarah M.

    My favorite restaurant in DSM. The service is always attentive and gracious without being overbearing. The food is fresh and amazing. I've never had/sampled a dish I didn't like here.

    (5)

  • Sl K.

    My friend and I ate at Proof on Friday night. THis is the only evening during the week when dinner is served. Each Friday night is a different cultural menu. This past Friday it was French food. It is always a pre-fixed menu (Total $40) with the option of selecting individual dishes as instead of a package. (Savings of about $4 when you go with all 4 plates) Food choices was vegetarian or non-vegetarian. I preferred the vegetarian. Vegetarian: Hot salad with goat cheese (my fav), blended spinich crepes with holandiase (my next fav), celery root salad with more goat cheese (ok) and raspberry molten cake. Non-Veggy: Rabbit patte (too eclectic for my taste) with date chuttney (fantastico), seared duck with a mushroom quishe (yummy), celery root salad (same as vege) and raspberry molten cake. The decor is pretty plain. I understand it is about the food, but I would have appreciated osmething a little more to set the "food mood" :) This place is worth a try!

    (3)

  • Nathan B.

    This place is exceptional. I don't hand out 5 stars lightly. I haven't been for their Friday dinners, but I've gone here at least once a week for lunch since they opened. It's a little pricier than other downtown lunch options, but worth every penny. Their soups are the best in town (two choices a day, always new/changing). The food is exquisite, not overdone. Even the plating is great--especially for a lunch place.

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Tue

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Trendy
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

Proof

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